PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) is steadfast in their decision not to disclose a breakdown of its source of political funding in light of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s implication that part of the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin-led coalition’s funds for its 15th general election (GE15) campaign originated from gambling firms.
Bersatu Youth chief and Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said it is not the practice of political parties to make public their funding.
“We will not be presenting the list. No political parties have done that (present a list of funds received) before,” Malaysiakini cited him as telling newsmen after lodging a report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur against Anwar for implying that PN had relied on funding from gambling firms to fuel its campaign.
Wan Fayhsal further justified his lodging a police report against Anwar for attempting to build a negative perception of PN in the run-up to polling for the Padang Serai parliamentary and Tioman state seats today.
In this regard, PN is prepared to debate the highly-anticipated Political Financing Bill in Parliament when the next session convenes, according to him.
“If putting in place a Political Financing Act is the priority, so be it,” he added.
Former law minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had previously said the Cabinet of the then PM Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had agreed in principle to a bill on political donations and financing of political parties being drafted.
The bill was slated to be to be presented for the first reading in early November and second reading at end-November but Parliament was dissolved on Oct 10 to make way for GE15.
Seen as complementing the anti-party hopping law which has come to force, the Political Financing Bill is crucial to both protect and ensure transparency in political contribution.
If there is no proper regulation in funding, this could lead to corruption, fraud and abuse of power taking place. – Dec 7, 2022
